Fender1325
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2014
- Messages
- 1,309
I wanted to get peoples opinion on brands - especially those of you who have owned several brands, or if you do a lot of metal fab.
I own both a HF drill master I got for $10 as an extra for light duty, and the DeWalt DWE4011 (7 amp 4-1/2").
After building a metal box today, and a lot of grinding/sanding with the flapdisk, my arm and fingers were numb for 2 hours afterward. I was wearing gloves but it got me thinking, maybe I should've got another brand? I dont think the DeWalt has an abnormal amount of vibration but maybe another brand would be more forgiving.
My father in law is a contractor and swears by Makita and to a lesser extent Milwaukee. He said any other pro he has met has only used those two.
In terms of warranty Makita is the worst at 1 year, followed by the DeWalt with 3, and then Milwaukee with 5 years.
What interests me in the Makita is that they all use ball bearings and that seems to really extend life. I hear/read about guys having Makitas that last decades.
I hear of guys burning angle grinders out but I think they must be really leaning into it - which would seem to wear out the disk and the motor quickly anyhow. Sounds like they need a bigger motor but are giving brands a bad review bc of it.
7 to 7.5 amp sounds like itd be enough, but maybe I should look into the 10 or more?
I dont imagine Id find use for a 7". I only plan to use this for metal fabrication. I do plan on restoring my 1950 cadillac and wonder if theres a scenario where Id be wishing for a 7. It will need floor panels and body work.
I think paddle switches would wear my forearm out faster having to squeeze there for extended periods of time.
What do you guys think?
I own both a HF drill master I got for $10 as an extra for light duty, and the DeWalt DWE4011 (7 amp 4-1/2").
After building a metal box today, and a lot of grinding/sanding with the flapdisk, my arm and fingers were numb for 2 hours afterward. I was wearing gloves but it got me thinking, maybe I should've got another brand? I dont think the DeWalt has an abnormal amount of vibration but maybe another brand would be more forgiving.
My father in law is a contractor and swears by Makita and to a lesser extent Milwaukee. He said any other pro he has met has only used those two.
In terms of warranty Makita is the worst at 1 year, followed by the DeWalt with 3, and then Milwaukee with 5 years.
What interests me in the Makita is that they all use ball bearings and that seems to really extend life. I hear/read about guys having Makitas that last decades.
I hear of guys burning angle grinders out but I think they must be really leaning into it - which would seem to wear out the disk and the motor quickly anyhow. Sounds like they need a bigger motor but are giving brands a bad review bc of it.
7 to 7.5 amp sounds like itd be enough, but maybe I should look into the 10 or more?
I dont imagine Id find use for a 7". I only plan to use this for metal fabrication. I do plan on restoring my 1950 cadillac and wonder if theres a scenario where Id be wishing for a 7. It will need floor panels and body work.
I think paddle switches would wear my forearm out faster having to squeeze there for extended periods of time.
What do you guys think?
If I had to replace it, I'd probably look at Dewalt first or whatever is on sale beside that.
From grinding welds using a grinding disc, to stripping paint using a Rapid Strip disc, to cutting steel using a cut-off wheel, to sanding using a Norton sanding disc... it may well be the best tool I have ever purchased.
